A couple in South Carolina who publicly mourned their seven-month-old daughter and even set up a meal train for donations after her death now face murder charges, with authorities alleging the child died from intentional blunt force trauma.
Kyla and Caleb Nicks, both in their 20s, were arrested on Valentine’s Day and charged with homicide by child 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 in the death of their daughter, Sage, who died on December 18, 2024, in the rural town of Chapin, South Carolina.
Richland County authorities said the baby’s death was considered suspicious from the moment first responders arrived. Paramedics found the parents performing CPR on the unresponsive infant, but she was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The county coroner, Dr. Naida Rutherford, announced that Sage’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and that the injury was intentional, not accidental. The investigation took weeks to build because officials needed to review pediatrician records, emergency room visits, and other evidence.
During that time, the Nicks family posted extensively on social media, portraying themselves as grieving parents. Kyla Nicks created a Facebook page where she shared photos of Sage and wrote emotional tributes, including a video of the baby saying “Dada.”
In one Facebook post, Kyla asked for donations to a meal train, writing, “We are broken and in need. Food is good for the soul and belly. Please help us and pray over the meals y’all are providing.”
The page raised $365 before being taken down.
The stark contrast between the parents’ public grief and the criminal charges has shocked the community. Experts say such behavior is not uncommon in 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 cases, where perpetrators attempt to divert suspicion.
Dr. Michelle Dupre, a former medical examiner and police officer in South Carolina, explained that the autopsy process for a child this young is meticulous. “We look for depressed fractures, which indicate a blow from an object, rather than the eggshell fractures typical of a fall,” she said.
She added that toxicology tests and full-body X-rays are standard to rule out other causes and to detect previous injuries. “We want to see if there is a history of 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮,” she said. “Sadly, it often exists.”
The coroner’s office said the investigation was thorough because they wanted to be certain before filing charges. “We are going to be darn sure if we put murder on a death certificate,” Rutherford said in a press conference.
Former prosecutor Mariana Brochu, now a law professor at Temple University, noted that the social media posts could be used as evidence, but also might be argued by the defense as proof of genuine grief. “The prosecution will point to the lack of immediate call for help,” she said.
Authorities have not released the specific details of what happened inside the home the night Sage died. The parents remain in custody without bond. Their next court appearance is pending.
The case has drawn national attention, in part because of the parents’ active online presence. In the weeks after Sage’s death, Kyla continued to post about her daughter, sharing a photo with the words “unconditional love and harmony.”
But the coroner’s findings paint a different picture. Blunt force trauma to the head in a seven-month-old is not something that happens accidentally, experts say. “Babies can’t walk, so they can’t fall and cause that kind of injury,” Dupre said.
The investigation also involved a multi-disciplinary team, including child protective services, law enforcement, and medical examiners. Such collaborations are standard in suspicious child deaths.
Brochu said the delay between the death and the arrests is common in complex cases. “They wanted to make sure they had all the evidence before charging,” she said. “You don’t want to rush and make a mistake.”
The couple’s social media accounts have since been deactivated or removed. But screenshots and video clips have been widely circulated, showing the family’s seemingly happy moments.
One video shows Caleb Nicks holding Sage and saying, “Sage, who am I? Who am I?” The baby responds with a smile.
The post was captioned, “Dada was Sage’s favorite word.”
Now, the parents are accused of killing the same child they appeared to adore online. The contradiction is jarring, but experts say it is part of a pattern.
“They are trying to control the narrative,” Brochu said. “They want to appear as victims, not perpetrators.”
The coroner’s office has not yet released the full autopsy report, but the cause of death and manner have been confirmed as homicide.
The case has also raised questions about the role of social media in criminal investigations. Some experts say defendants often use platforms to manipulate public opinion.
“It’s a forensic countermeasure,” Dupre said. “They try to hide their actions by acting like grieving parents.”
The couple’s arrest came after a two-month investigation that included interviews with family members, friends, and medical providers.
Authorities have not disclosed whether there were any prior reports of 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 or neglect involving the Nicks household.
Community members in Chapin, a small town about 20 miles northwest of Columbia, expressed shock and sadness. “It’s just heartbreaking,” one neighbor said. “She was such a little angel.”
The Nicks family had lived in a modest home in a rural area. Neighbors described them as quiet and private.
The couple’s bond hearing has not yet been scheduled. They are being held at the Richland County Detention Center.
If convicted of homicide by child 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮, they face life in prison without parole.
The case is being prosecuted by the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The solicitor has not yet commented on the evidence.
The story continues to unfold as more details emerge about the final days of Sage’s life.
For now, the only thing that is certain is that a seven-month-old girl is dead, and her parents are behind bars, accused of taking her life.
The authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, as the investigation remains ongoing.
The Nicks case is a stark reminder that not all grief is genuine, and that behind closed doors, tragedy can wear a different face.
The public is left to grapple with the question: How could parents who appeared so loving end up charged with murder?
The answer, according to officials, will be revealed in court.
